Translation guide
The English word "gutter" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones: the channel for rainwater on a roof or street, the lowest social condition, and the bowling alley channel. It also includes related expressions like "gutter press" and the verb form.
The physical trough or channel that carries away rainwater, either along the edge of a roof or at the side of a road.
Specifically refers to a roof gutter or downspout. This is the most common term for the gutter on a house.
雨樋が詰まっている。
The gutter is clogged.
雨樋を掃除しなければならない。
I have to clean the gutters.
Refers to a street gutter or drainage ditch at the side of a road. Commonly used for roadside drainage channels.
側溝に落ち葉がたまっている。
Fallen leaves are accumulating in the gutter.
自転車のタイヤが側溝にはまった。
My bicycle tire got stuck in the gutter.
A general word for a groove, ditch, or channel. Can be used for gutters but is broader. Often used in compound words.
道路の溝に水が流れている。
Water is flowing in the gutter along the road.
Drainage ditch or gutter, emphasizing the function of draining water. More technical or formal.
排水溝の掃除は定期的に行う必要がある。
Gutter cleaning must be done regularly.
A metaphor for a degraded or impoverished state, as in 'born in the gutter' or 'dragged through the gutter'.
Literally 'the very bottom', used figuratively for the lowest point in life, poverty, or despair. Closest natural equivalent for 'gutter' in this sense.
彼はどん底から這い上がった。
He pulled himself up from the gutter.
人生のどん底を経験した。
I hit rock bottom. (lit. experienced the gutter of life)
The lowest level or bottom rung of society. More formal and often used in social commentary.
社会の最底辺で生きる人々
people living in the gutter of society
To languish in poverty; a more literary way to describe gutter-like conditions.
彼は貧困にあえぎながら育った。
He grew up in the gutter.
The trough on either side of a bowling lane that catches poorly aimed balls.
Loanword from English 'gutter', used specifically in bowling. Universally understood by Japanese bowlers.
ボールがガターに落ちた。
The ball went into the gutter.
ガターを出さないように注意して。
Be careful not to get a gutter ball.
A gutter ball. The standard term for a ball that rolls into the gutter.
またガターボールだ。
Another gutter ball.
Sensationalist, low-quality newspapers or media, often focusing on scandal.
Vulgar or lowbrow newspapers. This is a direct equivalent for 'gutter press'.
彼は低俗な新聞に追われている。
He is being hounded by the gutter press.
Gossip paper; tabloid. Often used for celebrity scandal sheets.
その話はゴシップ紙に載った。
The story appeared in the gutter press.
When a candle flame flickers and melts wax unevenly, often causing it to burn out.
Describes the candle flame flickering and about to go out. There is no single verb equivalent; this phrase captures the meaning.
風でろうそくが消えそうになった。
The candle guttered in the wind.
The candle flame flickers unsteadily. Often used in literary contexts.
ろうそくの火が揺らめき、やがて消えた。
The candle guttered and then went out.
The English metaphor 'in the gutter' does not translate directly to 溝 (mizo) or 側溝 (sokkou). Use どん底 (donzoko) or similar expressions for the figurative meaning of extreme poverty or degradation.
彼はどん底から成功した。
He went from the gutter to success.
雨樋 (amadoi) is specifically for roof gutters, while 側溝 (sokkou) is for street gutters or drainage ditches. Do not confuse them.
雨樋は屋根に、側溝は道路にある。
Rain gutters are on roofs, street gutters are on roads.
彼はどん底に生まれたが、億万長者になった。
He was born in the gutter but became a millionaire.
雨樋から雨水があふれている。
The gutter is overflowing with rainwater.